Leaf Catcher

ABSTRACT

This invention is a device that assists with the collection of leaves or debris by holding a garbage bag completely open so a user does not need to awkwardly bend down and hold open a bag while raking leaves into it. This invention allows the user to have both hands free to hold and use a rake or broom to sweep leaves or debris into the open bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

3697030 Dec. 11, 1970 Schultz 248/101 3754785 Dec. 30, 1970 Anderson294/19R 3744081 Jul. 19, 1971 Miller 248/101 3998415 Mar. 6, 1975D'Antonio et al. 248/101 4615743 Aug. 9, 1984 Bylenga 134/6 5050920 Mar.12, 1990 Potticary 294/55 5106041 Sep. 4, 1990 Jelincic 248/99 5308027Jan. 7, 1993 Fullilove 248/101 6003820 Jun. 12, 1998 Baldonado et al.248/99

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention consists of a hands free device that will hold a bag wideopen so a user can rake leaves or other debris into the bag withoutholding the bag. The current means and methods employed to rake leavesinto a bag are difficult and straining because it requires a person tobend over and at the same time use one hand to open a bag and the otherhand to hold a rake and then rake leaves into the bag. This inventioneliminates bending while filling a bag and also helps lift the bag whenit is full.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The “leaf catcher” invention is a free standing device that holds a bagwide open and allows a user to stand upright while raking leaves orsweeping debris into a garbage bag. The bag is easily and securelyattached to the device using four clips which are located at each of thefour corners of the device perimeter. My invention provides a solutionthat eliminates the need for a user to bend over while raking leaves orsweeping debris into a bag. This invention also provides a solution toholding a bag wide open so that a user does not have to use his/herhands. In addition, the invention has a handle that helps the user movethe device from one pile of leaves or debris to another and also enablesthe user to easily lift a full bag of leaves into an upright positionwithout requiring the user to bend over. These major features weredeveloped in order to reduce or eliminate the strain on a users back,arms, and legs which is typically experienced while raking or sweepingleaves or debris into a bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts a user using the Leaf Catcher device. It shows the userstanding upright and stepping on the device to keep it in place whilefilling the bag.

FIG. 2 depicts the Leaf Catcher as a free standing device with allfeatures pointed out as noted and further described in the detaileddescription. (1) is the handle, (2) are the clips, (3 a, 3 b) are thefoot rests, (4) is the base, (5) is the top wall, (6) are the side wallsof the device.

FIG. 3 depicts the Leaf Catcher device in an upright position afterusing the specially designed handle that eliminates bending.

FIG. 4 is a view looking down from the top of the leaf catcher to showthe clips (2) that are attached to the device and foot rests (3) viascrews (13) and spring (11). A cross section (A-A) of FIG. 4 is providedto indicate the clip cavity (areas 8 and 10) to show the relationbetween a bag (12), and the clip (2). The clip (2) is also shown in anopen position (2A) as a “phantom” view. (8) is the back portion of thecavity in the base which will house the clips. This “cavity” area isrecessed so the clip will fit flush with the top surface of the base (4)and top wall (5) of FIG. 2. Feature (10) is a semi rigid foam typematerial that will slightly compress so that when the clip is engagedthe bag will be wedged into a secure position between the clip and thefoam so that the bag remains in place. The feature (10) may also besubstituted with another suitable material or no material depending onmanufacturing costs.

Feature (9) is the front base area of the leaf catcher that is taperedso that small debris can be captured. This is similar to the front edgeof a standard dust pan.

However because the thickness of the base is relatively shallow, theneed for a tapered edge may not be necessary.

FIG. 5 depicts the leaf catcher device from a side view with optionalclips used to secure a bag to the leaf catcher. In the event themanufacturing costs are cost prohibitive, the standard binder clipsshown in FIG. 5, a total of four, one at each corner may be used toreplace the clips (2) shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

How it is used:

The leaf catcher shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be easily lifted by thehandle (1, 1A) and a bag can be attached, using the 4 clips (2) locatedat the corners of the perimeter as shown on the drawings. A clip can beeasily pressed down so that it is in the open position (FIG. 4, item 2A)and then the user can slide a bag under the open clip and then releasethe clip which will close down on the bag to secure the bag in place.This is repeated 3 more times and the bag is securely attached to thedevice. After the bag is attached with the four clips, it is held wideopen and the user places the device on the floor and steps on either oneof the two provided “foot rests” (3) to hold the device in place. Twofoot rests were provided to accommodate left or right handed people.This allows the user to use both hands to hold a rake or broom to pushor sweep leaves or debris into the open bag. The “foot rest” featurealso ensures that the leaf catcher remains is one position withoutmoving while raking or sweeping. Once leaves/debris are in the bag, theuser pulls the handle up and over at a 90 degree angle until the leafcatcher and bag are in an upright position (see FIG. 3). Now the leafcatcher is on top of the opened bag and permits the user to continue tofill the bag while it is being held open by the leaf catcher. When thebag is filled the user simply presses on each of the 4 clips to releasethe bag from the leaf catcher. Now, with the filled bag in an uprightposition, it can be tied together with minimal bending by the user.

Materials:

The leaf catcher is intended to be made of plastic, or other suitablematerial of sufficient durability to withstand years of wear and tear.Plastic was selected because it can be extruded or formed in the shapeas shown in the drawings. The entire frame, handle, foot rests, andcavity for the four clips are envisioned to be one cohesive device madefrom a mold and extruded, including the handle to give it rigidity, anddurability. The clips will be made of two materials, plastic and a metal“spring like” mechanism that will be either affixed to the perimeter((into the clip cavity (FIG. 4 item 8)) of the device with screws (13)or may be sold separately (See FIGS. 5A and 5B item 14) depending onmanufacturing costs. The intent of this design is to manufacture acavity into the plastic to “house” the clips. The clip attachment willlikely require a separate step in the manufacturing process. However, ifthis step is cost prohibitive an option would be to sell the clips as anaccessory that fit on the box as shown in cross section in FIG. 5. Clipscan be supplied with the product. The clips used in the prototype werestandard binder clips sold at a local convenience store and they workedfine.

Dimensions:

The dimensions of the leaf catcher opening were selected based on astandard 33 gallon black garbage bag. Various sizes and types of bags(including plastic and paper) can also be used by simply squeezing thebag edges together until it fits within the perimeter of the deviceframe. (As a separate manufacturing process, and alteration to thedesign, it is also possible to make the rectangular opening smaller orlarger so that various sizes of bags may be accommodated.) The overallthickness of all the walls of the device can be approximately ½ inchoverall with ⅛″ plastic wall thickness and made of PVC, however amanufacturer will best determine the actual dimensions to ensure adurable, quality product, which can be fabricated at a reasonable cost.Also based on a market and cost analysis, these details (thicknesses)will be better defined. For now, sizes detailed below are approximatebased on the prototype and best available information.

The base (4) of the device is approximately 4″-6″ deep, 33″ overallwidth (including foot rests) and ½″ thick in height. (6) and (6 a) arethe walls of the box approximately 4″-6″ deep, and 1½ ft high and ½″overall thickness with ⅛″ wall thickness. (5) Is the top wall of the boxalso 4″-6″ deep, ½″ thick with ⅛″ wall thickness, and 22″ in width.These measurements were selected to accommodate a standard lawn and leafbag and also provide an ideal size opening of the bag. The openingdimensions were also selected to optimize the opening area so that astandard size rake's width matches the opening to capture as much leavesand debris as possible.

Handle:

Attached to the top of the leaf catcher is a unique handle (1, 1A) of asufficient height to minimize bending while lifting the leaf catcher andcontents of the bag. The handle is a rectangular shape which provides aconnection, which is intended to be integral during the manufacturingprocess, at two points on the top wall (5) of the leaf catcher as shownin FIG. 3. Connecting the handle at two points provides the leverageneeded to easily lift a full bag of leaves or debris. This type ofconnection will help ensure that the handle will remain attached to thedevice providing durability and longevity.

Clips:

There are four clips (2) strategically placed at the corners of the“opening” portion of the device as shown in FIG. 2. The clips areintended to have a dual feature of allowing the user to easily open theclip (to insert the bag) and when released, tightly secure the bag tothe leaf catcher. The clips are specially designed to be flush with thebase of the leaf catcher so that as debris is raked or swept over theclip they are not damaged while leaves and debris pass over the top.This concept is also applied to the two clips in the top wall.

Storage, Distribution and Shelf Space:

Also important to the success of this product is the storage,distribution, and shelf space requirements. To optimize theserequirements or effectively reduce them, the leaf catcher may bemanufactured so that it is tapered on all sides so that leaf catcherscan be “stacked” inside one another (like stacking paper cups into oneanother) to minimize shelf, transportation, warehouse, and storage spacelimitations. Another option would be to have a “slot” cut out of thebase of the leaf catcher so that a handle from another leaf catcher canfit into the slot. This will reduce the space requirements by at least30%. Another option would make the leaf catcher “collapsible” so it canand can fold similar to a folding chair. Another option would be toreplace each of the two side walls (6) with lightweight metal posts ateach corner that can fit into the top and bottom walls of the device andcan be assembled by the user to reduce the overall storage,distribution, and shelf space height by over 50%.

The base (4) of the leaf catcher can have a tapered base (9) similar toa dust pan so that smaller debris may be easily swept into the box.

1. The Leaf Cather device that holds open a lawn and leaf plastic orpaper garbage bag comprising of a single homogeneous plastic body,including a base, two side walls, and a top wall that makes a box framewhich will make up the opening for a bag, and having a handle protrudingfrom the top wall of the box frame, said top wall having two clipsembedded within the thickness of the top wall at each interior cornerand two clips embedded within the base at each interior corner to securea standard size bag in a wide open position, and the base of the framehaving extensions beyond each of the side walls to be used as a place tostand on with one foot so the device remains in a stable position and incontact with the ground while leaves are being pushed or raked into theopening, said frame base also having a tapered front lip to provide asloped transition from the ground into the open portion of the frame. 2.The Leaf Catcher device of claim 1 includes two clips that are embeddedwithin the thickness of the top wall and two clips embedded within thebase, with embedment area creating a cavity that permits each clip toremain in a closed position while the top portion of the clip is flushwith the adjacent surfaces to maintain a uniform surface, and the backportion of the cavity permits the clip to open for a bag to be placedwithin the front portion of the cavity, said cavity is further describedin claim
 3. 3. The front portion of the cavity described in claim 2 alsoincludes a semi rigid compressible foam material that acts as a base forthe bag so that when the clip is closed the bag and front portion of theclip in contact with the bag will compress the foam to create a tightseal to securely attach the bag to the frame at all four clips.
 4. Theleaf catcher of claim 1 includes a handle that is part of the box frame,the said handle is comprised of two posts and a connecting memberbetween the posts that form the shape of the entire handle, with saidconnecting member ideally shaped to the contours of a persons hand for acomfort fit.
 5. The leaf catcher of claim 1 includes side foot “plates”which extend beyond the frame's side walls and can be molded as part ofthe entire device, and made of the same material as the device.
 6. TheLeaf Catcher of claim 1 includes an opening that is made up by the boxframe which optimizes the bag opening dimension in width and height toaccommodate a bags maximum proportional opening of 22″ wide and 11″high, with said opening of 22″ also meeting the width of a standard sizerake, said opening is also claimed to be increased or decreased toaccommodate larger or smaller bags and rakes.
 7. The leaf catcher ofclaim 1 may also be used without said clips as described in claim 1, 2and 3 and as a substitute for said clips, standard binder clips may beused to fasten a bag to the leaf catcher device.
 8. The leaf catcher ofclaim 1 may also be constructed with metal, plastic or wood posts ateach corner of the frame in lieu of the side walls.